As AFMS Chairmen for Junior Activities we hope the information given in this newsletter will help answer some of the questions about the Future Rockhounds of America. We also included the names of our committee members who are from every federation in the AFMS (see page ___.

The Junior Chairman in your federation has access to resources that include posters, activities, earth science games and rock, fossil, mineral material. Take advantage of your regional Junior Chairman, they are available as a benefit to you in enjoying more of this hobby.

At the AFMS convention in Houghton, MI, we brought what we thought were enough handouts for the Juniors Booth to last the entire time of the show. We really misjudged as almost all the material we had was gone by Saturday afternoon. This was wonderful as it means there are interested young people who are enjoying our hobby. We will be having another booth at the upcoming AFMS convention in Moab, UT with much more material. Because the supplies went so fast, we do encourage adult members (as well as the regional Junior Chairmen) to bring any handout rocks, fossils, or minerals they wish to donate for our young members.

History of Future Rockhounds

Rockhound clubs throughout the Federation have been supporting youth groups for many years. At times there were youth which belonged to a club, but the club didn't know just what to do with them or what direction they should go. Consequently a lot of youth fell through the cracks. We are sure no one could argue the fact that we need to insure the future of our hobby by encouraging our youth.

Knowing the above, in 1984, under the direction of Bill Cox, AFMS President, a committee was added to the AFMS called "Junior Clubs" the Chairman was Ruth Hammett from the South Central Federation. During the first year very little was accomplished other than the adoption of a very useful manual designed by the Midwest Federation. At the end of 1984 and during the first part of 1985, Bill coined the name "Future Rockhounds of America" and designed a certificate to be given to junior clubs who became members of
FRA. It gives the clubs the distinction of belonging to something worthwhile.

The only requirement for obtaining membership into FRA is to be organized and sponsored by a federation club. (Exceptions to this can be made). There are no dues to pay to the federation for being a member as dues will be paid through the adult club.

How to Become a Member of FRA

This is a question we hear often..."How does our group become members of the Future Rockhounds of America?"

The answer is very simple. All you need is a group of kids, a sponsor, a name and an application to
FRA.

Requirements:

Your group must be a member of your local federation. This can be either through a sponsoring club or through an independent application into your local federation.

Dues only have to be paid to the local federation and thus into AFMS. There are no special dues for
FRA.

The number of youth is not important... you can have as few as 2 and as many as you can handle.

Age. In most clubs the age at which one becomes an adult is 18.

We said it was simple, there is no mystery to joining. Just fill out an application which can be obtained from your local federation Youth Coordinator (or on page 7 of this issue). We are here to help you.

Loud & Clearby George Loud

While attending the Rochester Mineral Symposium this April, David Kords of Walworth, NY brought to my attention new regulations of the Mine Safety and Health Administration
(MSHA) which were published as final rules in the "Federal Register" issue of September 30, 1999 and which become effective October 2nd of this year. Unknown to me at that time, Mr. Dave Hennessey, Field Trip Chair of a local club to which I belong, had been denied a request for a field trip by quarry management who cited the new MSHA Part 46 regulations as reason for the denial. What then are these new MSHA regulations and how do they effect us?

New section 30 CFR Part 46 sets forth mandatory requirements for safety training and retraining of miners and other persons working in or entering operating areas of surface mines. Most surface mines have previously been exempt from mandatory requirements for safety training. The new Part 46 mandatory requirements for safety training apply to all "shell dredging, sand, gravel, surface stone, surface clay, collodial phosphate and surface limestone mines." By way of example, operations that produce marble, granite, sandstone, shale,
traprock, kaolin, cement, feldspar, and lime are specifically mentioned. 40 CFR Part 48 "remains in effect at all underground metal and non-metal mines, all surface metal mines and a few surface non-metal mines, such as surface boron and talc mines." Thus, the new regulations of 30 CFR part 46 would apply to limestone, traprock and other quarries frequented by mineral collectors.

The new 30 CFR Part 46 mandates five (5) types of safety training for "miners":

It is important to note that the five (5) types of training enumerated above are required only for miners, which term is defined in the regulations in such a manner that it would not apply to hobbyist mineral collectors entering a quarry solely for the purpose of collecting. Quoting from page 53094 of the "Federal Register" notice of September 30th, "we intend that the definition of `miners' include persons who are engaged in activities related to day-to-day mining operations." The definition set forth in 30 CFR 46.2(g)(1) reads "'miner' means: any person, including any operator or supervisor, who works at a mine and who is engaged in mining operations." 30 CFR 46.2(g)(2) states "The definition of `miner' does not include scientific workers, delivery workers, customers (including commercial over-the-road truck drivers), vendors or visitors." I emphasize "scientific workers" and "visitors" in the foregoing quotation because Mr. Richard E. Wood, Assistant Regional Manager for the Eastern Field Office of MSHA has stated in telephone conversation that mineral collectors would fall into either or both of these categories. It is important to understand that mineral collectors are not "miners" within the meaning of the regulations and therefore not subject to the training requirements for "miners".

However, the new regulations of 30 CFR Part 46 do impose a burden on quarry owners regarding the safety of "scientific workers", "visitors" and others who would not be "miners" as that term is defined in the regulations. The obligations of the quarry operator to mineral collectors and other parties entering the quarry who are not miners, are set forth in 30 CFR 46.11 "site-specific hazard awareness training." This regulation gives a quarry owner two options for providing for the safety of non-miners entering the quarry. One option is provision of site-specific hazard awareness training. 30 CFR 46.11(e) states:

You may provide site-specific hazard awareness training through the use of written hazard warnings, oral instruction, signs and posted warnings, walkaround training, or other appropriate means that alert persons to site-specific hazards in the mine.

Quoting from page 53127 of the "Federal Register" notice, "depending on the circumstances and the type of degree of the person's exposure to mine hazards, you may provide hazard awareness training through informal but informative conversations." My understanding is that the "site-specific hazard awareness training" required by section 46.11 could suitably be the usual group briefing of the type mineral clubs in this area often receive from quarry management prior to leaving the office area and entering the operating area of the quarry. It is important to note that, while the quarry management is required to keep records of "site-specific hazard awareness training" given to "miners", there is no record-keeping requirement for such "training" given to "scientific workers" and "visitors." See pages 53122 and 53128 of the "Federal Register" notice. Accordingly, my understanding is that the new regulations would not impose any burden on quarry management beyond the briefings typically given to club groups prior to entering a quarry.

Section 46.11(f) provides the quarry operators with an alternative to site-specific hazard awareness training as a means of compliance with the regulations as they apply to mineral collectors and other visitors to the quarry. Section 46.11(f) reads:

Site-specific hazard awareness training is not required for any person who is accompanied at all times by an experienced miner who is familiar with hazards specific to the mine site.

In the traprock and limestone quarries of Maryland and Virginia where I collect, one or more members of quarry management often accompany and stay with the club group while in the quarry. If quarry management elects to fulfill its obligation to mineral collectors under section 46.11(f), it is important that club members stay with the group so that they are "accompanied at all times by an experienced miner", as required to satisfy this section of the regulations.

If management of a quarry does not want to allow organized field trips by mineral collectors, they need no excuse to deny access. However, I recommend that club field trip chairpersons familiarize themselves with these new Part 46 regulations so that they will be able to allay any new fears on the part of quarry management which might be created by an improper reading of these new regulations. When I first moved to the Washington, D.C. area in 1968, I could collect in any of the local quarries on Saturday morning simply by signing a waiver in the quarry office. Unfortunately, now we consider ourselves fortunate to get into some of the local quarries, as a club, once every several years. The evolution of our tort law toward a negligence standard of strict liability and the increasing willingness of individuals to sue for any and all injuries, are responsible in large part for the change in attitude of quarry management toward mineral collectors. We can only hope that these new regulations do not make the situation worse.

Information and a copy of the new MSHA regulations can be obtained at <www.msha.gov> or by telephoning Carol J. Jones at (703) 235-1910, e-mail: <mailto:cjones@msha.gov>.

George Loud
9709 Layminster Lane
Vienna, VA 22182

The Handwriting is on the Wallby Dan Lingelbach, AFMS President

I don't know where the above expression came from but I think it conveys the situation existing with the "invitation" by the Forest Service for comments on their proposed changes to 36 CFR parts 212,261, and 295 in the March 3 issue of the Federal Register. The Forest Service is going to close some existing accesses to the public lands they manage. George Loud has already brought this to your attention in a previous message. If you read the 16 or so pages in that notice a couple things stand out. One is there is a fundamental change in that there will a shift from "development of a transportation system" to "maintenance of needed roads and the decommissioning of unneeded roads". The other is that they are redefining the usual definition of roads. In their original notice of intention issued several months ago to propose these changes in the
CFR, they used terms for areas as being "roaded, roadless and unroaded" in conjunction with "inventoried and
uninventoried". This time they used classified and unclassified. When words are used in usual or different ways one gets suspicious of their intentions and I sent a comment to them to that effect.

In the March 3 notice they did do a better job of defining their terms and at least we now know they propose to define a road as "A motor vehicle travelway over 50 inches wide, unless classified and managed as a trail. A road maybe classified or unclassified." You'll have to get a copy of the March 3 notice to find out how classified and unclassified roads are defined, as my message will get way too long if I include them and what goes with it.

Anyway, how do you respond to the notice of the proposed changes to the 36 CFR? Following is how I responded to this "invitation" to comment. Instead of getting into the details of the effects, I tried to stress that rockhounding is a bona fide recreational activity, that access by motor vehicle is needed to get to certain areas and that our clubs are willing to work with the local managers to maintain access to collecting areas. Also, we are not anti-environmentalists.

You'll notice that this response was my personal feeling and not an official position of the AFMS, but hopefully this expresses the sentiment of our members. I would be pleased to learn of your feelings of this approach. I know this is longer than I usually have but maybe I'll have a short one sometime to make up for this one.

April 27, 2000

USFS CAET
Attn: Roads
P.O. Box 221090
Salt Lake City, UT 84122

Greetings:

This communication is in regard to the Forest Service Notices of Overview of Proposal, Proposed Rule Making, Administrative Policy and Proposed Forest Service Manual Revisions published in the March 3rd issue of the Federal Register.

As President of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc., (AFMS) an organization of some 55,000 card carrying rockhounds (and many more who elect to remain anonymous) I believe I express the sentiment of the members by saying that our main concern regarding the proposed changes to 36 CPR parts 212,261 and 295 is access to areas to surface collect rocks on public land managed by the Forest Service. I suspect those who do not belong to a rock club are younger people with children who have other scheduled activities but who enjoy being able to pick up rocks when they visit public lands for that and other recreational activities.

Unfortunately, many of the card carrying rock hounds are older and unable to hike miles from the roads to look for and possibly surface collect rocks. Therefore, the decommissioning of existing unclassified roads is of great concern to us, as rockhounds. Surface collecting of rocks should be as much a recreational activity as say, hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, skiing etc. Since rocks of interest to rockhounds exist in only certain locations, access by high clearance vehicles is likely a requirement.

For years rockhounds have been attracted to certain areas on public lands because they contain specimens with interesting features. To maintain access to some of these areas on public lands, "Memorandums of Understanding" have been developed between a managing agency and an organized mineralogical society. One notable example of this has been the Hauser Beds "Rockhound Education and Recreational Area" an agreement between the BLM and the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies which is a member of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. Therefore, whatever regulations are developed for managing a Forest Service transportation system should have provisions allowing the Forest Supervisor or District Rangers to work with an organized mineralogical society to develop agreements to maintain access to certain areas previously used by rockhounds to surface collect.

I would like to emphasize that surface collecting of rocks is a bona fide recreational activity and with some restrictions would have a minimal environmental impact on the area. Organized mineralogical societies are willing to work with any managing agency to work out an acceptable agreement to both parties, as we are probably as concerned about our environment as many other environmental groups. Our feeling is that public lands should be managed to the greatest benefit to the greatest number of people and a livable environment is definitely a benefit. However, access to certain areas of public land is one key to providing this greatest benefit.

Respectfully,

Dan Lingelbach
AFMS President
1116 S. Gray
Stillwater, OK 74074

A Chat with lzzle Bby lsabella Burns, President Elect

Several people have inquired about the MOU of "Educational and Recreational Area", known as, Hauser Geode Beds in California. January 31 Jim Strain, representative of the CFMS and Glenn Miller representative of the BLM El Centro Resource Area of the Mojave Desert signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) affirming the use of the area identified as Township 8S, Range 19E and portions of the neighboring range as open for collecting of geodes, rocks and minerals. President Dan Lingelbach and I witnessed the agreement. This area is bordered on the east by Palo Verde Mountains Wilderness Area, (No vehicles are permitted, but hiking and collecting are) and west is Chuckwalla Bench Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). Jim and I felt a historical collecting area should be kept open; so we sought the support of BLM.

The MOU sets policies for the BLM and CFMS to mark together in "casual use collecting" for us and the public. No commercial collecting is permitted here. There is some private land in the area. The production of maps, brochures and booklets will soon be available. BLM will continue their public education and law enforcement to assure safety. We have agreed to follow the AFMS Code of Ethics, schedule periodic cleanups, use the land with care and respect.

Our agreed policies for care and use are:

Maximum speed limit of 20 miles per hour (You can stop to protect animals on the road)

Dogs are allowed, but must be restrained by leash, pen, etc.

All existing roads are open and no now roads will be made. We will do pick and shovel maintenance of existing roads.

No desert tortoise will be harassed (touching is harassment) We are trying to train some CFMS members to assist tortoise in immediate danger.

No food or trash is to be disposed in the area. They attract raven and raven eat baby tortoise. All scrap food and trash must be kept in a raven proof container, not in a plastic or paper bag left outside.

When you dig a hole looking for rocks or minerals, do not leave it open without making a 30 degree slope on one side; so that any animal falling into it can escape. This should be a policy of anywhere that you dig a hole.

If we observe any illegal activities ( Drug labs, illegal removal of plants or animals, endangerment to people, or such), we shall notify the law enforcement El Centro BLM - (760) 337-4400 or County Sheriffs Office (760) 854-3469 or (760) 911.

As on all Federal Lands, casual collecting is limited to hand tools. No power tools or explosives allowed. No specific quantity was stated. Observe the AFMS Code of Ethics, ."Will take only what I can reasonably use." Inform Jim Strain (760) 366-2361 of any violations or unusual occurrences that you observe in this area. Our agreement requires us to meet with the BLM at least once a year to discuss issues of this collecting area.

The CFMS has an agreement with the BLM Barstow Resource Area which opened some routes into the Northern Cady Mountains (Southern Afton Canyon) Wilderness Study Area. The Public is permitted to travel on AF 251 1, AF 204, AF 2525, AF 2525A, AF 202 routes. We are not to establish any new roads or extend any roads. This could be a reason for these open routes to be closed. We can set a good example by not driving off the roads, and parking only in trail heads or within 1 00 feet of the middle of the road.

How do you get a MOU with the BLM? You first establish good rapport with them by participating in clean up days, attending other events, giving constructive comments, and demonstrating that you respect our land. Then ask for what you feel would be a reasonable request and be willing to help to care for our land. The BLM has advisory councils in various regions (RAC): National Parks and Monuments have councils, also. Attend some of these meetings which are open to the public. National Forests, also, welcome active public collaboration on special projects in the National Forests. For information on these meetings contact your local area offices or me.

There is a large chance the Webmaster for your club is a volunteer who took on the job without even having an official position. Does your club Webmaster have an official office with the club? How is the Webmaster elected to the office? The WWW has evolved so quickly that I imagine a lot of clubs are grateful to have any of its members step up to the task of creating a club web site.

When was the last time that technology created the need for a new office in your club? The WWW is here and is becoming the major source of information in this Information Age. Even when the WWW evolves to its next level, it will have to maintain some of the basic concepts that it has today. Connectivity and information exchange are here to stay.

Would you like for your club to be presented to millions of people all across the world. Where else can you afford to do this, except on the WWW. When someone searches for a club in your area, will they find you or will they just think no else in the area enjoys the hobby. Do you find your membership could use a boost in numbers? How will these new members find out about your club? Is your club listed in the Yellow Pages?

Your club Webmaster is a very important person to your club. If you have not yet elected one, don't put it off. Be sure and also support your Webmaster. The Webmaster creates a web site using the co-operative efforts of many people much like your newsletter editor. Without a Webmaster, your club will not have a website. Without a Webmaster and a web site, your club is missing out on the greatest opportunity. A great opportunity that is easily also free, how much better can it get.

Each Year - Each Club - One Rockhoundfrom Bonnie Glismann, AFMS Chair

The Mineralogical Society of the District of Columbia has nominated their editor,
Fred Dhyse, as this year's recipient of the Each Club, Each Year, One Rockhound award.

Fred Dhyse has been the editor of the Mineral Minutes since 1996. He has never missed a deadline and is vigilant about making sure that all the key information such as the program, minutes, president's message, etc. appear in every issue. Nearly every month, he and his wife Sue act as joint hosts with other members who take the speaker out to dinner. He and Sue have also hosted the very successful holiday party in their home for several years.

Joan Lingenfelter, editor for The Delaware Valley Lapidary and Mineral Society has nominated
Howard Seeman as this year's recipient of the Each Club, Each Year, One Rockhound award.

Howard Seeman is the perfect member. He attends every meeting. He does programs. He helps members to make equipment, etc. He has served in all offices and, last but not least, he is a man who never, never says `no'. He is an all around great guy.

Has your club sent in a nomination for the Each Year - Each Club - One Rockhound recognition? Every AFMS affiliated club may submit the name of one member (or a husband and wife team) per year who has done something for the club which should receive recognition. Perhaps you want to "thank" your unsung hero. Perhaps you want to recognize the fellow who is the "jack of all trades" or the couple that has visited schools or scout groups. You make the decision as to who your club wishes to nominate.

Send the name of your nominee, along with a brief (25 words or so) description of why you are submitting their name and the name of your club to your regional chairperson as listed below.

The annual meeting of the AFMS rules committee will be held on Tuesday October 10, 2000 in the Canyon Lands room of the Moab Valley Inn. The meeting will begin as soon after 9 AM that a quorum is present. I would like all members planning to attend to advise me of your estimated arrival times for planning purposes.

There are two committees working on proposals for presentation at the Meeting. One with Russell Snook chair on changes to CC-3. The other with Bill Basbagill as chair working on changes to the Mineral references.

If you know of any other changes that will be proposed please send them to me by July 15 so they can get on the agenda. The agenda will be mailed out around August 10.

Hammers used by rock hounds come in every size, type and construction, and include rock hammers, bricklayer's or mason's hammers, blacksmith's or sledge hammers, machinist's peen hammers, jeweler's hammers, setting hammers, soft face hammers, lead or copper faced hammers, trimmer's and welder's hammer's, as well as a variety of mallets, such as rawhide, rubber, and tinner's. I have even seen napping hammers (a 3 pound high carbon steel hammer with tapering faces used for forming stones during road construction or similar stone work) and railroad track mauls (used for driving railroad spikes). As it is hard to anticipate what a rockhounds "favorite weapon" will be, I though I would present a list of general hammer safety practices followed by the proper use of some of the more common hammer types.

1. Always select the proper type, size, and weight of hammer for the job.

2. Always wear eye protection.

3. Always strike a hammer blow squarely, avoiding glancing blows and over and under strikes. The hammers striking face should be parallel with the surface being struck.

4. When striking a chisel, punch, or wedge, the striking face of the hammer should be 3/8" larger than the struck face of the tool. Both the striking hammers face and the struck face of the tool should be free of oil.

5. Do not strike another hammer with a hammer.

6. Do not strike a harder surface with a hard surface hammer.

7. Never use a hammer with dents, cracks, chips, mushrooming, or excessive wear. Replace the hammer-redressing is not recommended.

8. Replace worn or damaged handles. A qualified individual should replace hammer handles. Most hardware stores will replace hammer handles for a nominal fee. They can also provide a rubber sleeve for sledge hammers, which will prevent handle damage just above the head.

Bricklayer's or mason's hammers are designed for setting or splitting bricks, masonry tile, and concrete blocks. Never use them to strike metal or drive tools such as chisels. The blade of a bricklayer's hammer should be kept sharp by redressing at a 40 degree angle with a bench grinder. Keep the metal cool while grinding by quenching often in water to protect the metals tempering.

Hand drilling hammers are used with chisels, star drills, punches, and hardened nails. Never use common nail (claw) hammers for striking metal, such as chisels, as they are designed for driving unhardened nails and their shape, depth of face, and balance make them unsuitable for this use.

Machinist's peen hammers (ball, cross, or straight) are designed for striking chisels and punches and riveting, straightening and shaping metal.

Blacksmith's or sledge hammers are designed for striking wood, metal, concrete, or stone, depending on size, weight, and shape.

When using a hammer, grip the handle near the end where it is designed for gripping and will give you the best control and impact with the least effort. Watch your hands, shins, and feet. It may be advisable to wear gloves, long sleeve shirts, and high lacing safety shoes to protect from flying debris and sharp shards if the situation warrants it.

When storing hammers for a period of time, lightly lubricate metal parts, but wipe any oil or grease from rubber mallets or rubber handle grips to prevent damage to the rubber.

So get out there and hammer up a storm, safely.

A Different Field Tripfrom Shirley Leeson, AFMS Historian

Have you decided to finally go through your closets, attics, garages, and FILES? If so while you are discarding things will YOU look for the following AFMS Newsletters:

November 1977
September 1981
December 1981
January through December 1982
January 1983 February 1983
April 1983 June 1983
April 1984
April 1986
May 1989
June 1989
February 1990

All these issues were of the 8 1/2 x 11 size, pre-newspaper design. If you have any of the above copies, would you consider donating them to the AFMS Historian's Files, PLEASE.

I'm also looking for the following manuals to complete the collection which we already have.

In the May issue I asked for feedback from clubs that are successful in keeping members. Here are two sides to the story, both found in the May MWF Newsletter. Which one fits your club?

I'm the Guy

I'm the guy who was asked to join your organization. I'm the guy who paid his dues to join. I'm the guy who stood up in front of all of you and promised to be faithful and loyal.

I'm the guy who came to your meetings, and no one paid any attention to. I tried several times to be friendly to some of the fellows, but they all had their own buddies they talk to and sit next to.

I sat down several times, but no one paid any attention to me. I hoped very much that somebody would have asked me to take part in a fund raising project or something, but no one saw my efforts when I volunteered.

I missed a few meetings after joining because I was sick and couldn't be there. No one asked me at the next meeting where I had been. I guess it didn't matter very much to the others whether I was there or not.

The next meeting I decided to stay home and watch TV. the following meeting I attended, but no one asked me where I was when the last meeting was held.

You might say I'm a good guy, a good family man who holds a responsible job, loves his community and his country.

You know who else I am? I'm the guy who never came back. It amuses me now to think all the time.

All They needed to do was make me feel needed, wanted and welcome!

(author unknown)
from Trilobite, date unknown

A Reply

I'm a new member in the club,
And I'm a timid guy,
But, I'd no sooner found my seat
Than someone called out, "Hi!".
You must be Brown from over West.
So glad you came tonight.
If you've a problem, man, speak out;
We'll help you set it right."
A copy of their Bulletin
He thrust into my hand.
He welcomed me to the Club Show
And made me feel just grand.
Then I had cake and coffee,
And paused to talk and joke.
I enjoyed every moment
With these friendly, happy folk.
Their kindness and their courtesy
Are things I won't forget.
And when they meet again next month
I'll be there, you can bet.

Iva Lottalern
from Rock Talk, March 1969

Now it's up to you. How does your club keep members? Do let me hear from you so we can
share ideas.